Photo: Ars Electronica - Robert Bauernhansl
Panel Discussion
Alexandre Bizri (FR), Denise Hirtenfelder (AT), Maria Pfeifer (AT), Yoko Shimizu (JP), Yitong Tseo (US), Anna Weiss (DE/AT)
How does the Ars Electronica Futurelab define its own future impact—and how do we make it tangible to our audiences, partners, and ourselves?
This session opens an internal dialogue with Futurelab team members across disciplines, roles, and experiences. Together, we reflect on the transformations we aim to trigger, the frictions we try to embrace, and the creative processes we use to shape resonance in a rapidly changing world.
POSTCITY, First Floor, Ars Electronica Lounge
Language //
EN
Ticket //
FREE / No Ticket
Photo: vog.photo
Maria Pfeifer is Head of Future Impact Creation and Key Researcher for Future Narratives at the Ars Electronica Futurelab. She develops frameworks to assess and communicate the societal impact of artistic, technological, and speculative innovation, with a strong focus on how storytelling and uncertainty shape transformative processes. Her research connects futures studies, speculative design, ethical technology, and the potential of artistic strategies to foster systemic change.
Photo: vog.photo
Since 2021, Denise has developed future narratives, concepts, and strategies for participatory prototypes with Ars Electronica Futurelab partners. Using Art Thinking, Future Narrative, and Speculative Design, she transforms ideas into future visions. A Fine Arts graduate from Willem de Kooning Academy, Denise blends art with communication, uniting diverse communities to explore innovation and make complex ideas in art and tech accessible to all.
Photo: Thanh Nha Nguyen
Yitong Tseo is a scientist and bio-artist at MIT researching the frontiers of material, artificial, and biological intelligence. When it comes to the questions modern science cannot yet pose, they turn to art as their laboratory. Across disciplines, their work seeks to bridge Gaia’s disparate enclaves—bringing Gaia closer to herself. In summer 2025, they join the visionary team at Ars Electronica’s Futurelab as a visiting scientist, collaborating to cultivate new forms of inquiry.
Photo: Raphael Schaumburg-Lippe
Working at the intersection of science and art has always fascinated Anna Weiss. After studying Technical Physics at Johannes Kepler University Linz, she is now pursuing a teacher training program in Visual Arts and Physics at the University of Arts Linz. At the Ars Electronica Futurelab, she applies her diverse skill set to creative prototyping, art-thinking research, mentoring artists-in-residence, creative project management and more besides.
Photo: Electronica Futurelab
Alexandre Bizri, an engineer by training, practices as a researcher and artist at Ars Electronica Futurelab since 2020. Taking a multidisciplinary approach to his work, he conceptualizes and produces interactive installations for public audiences, building custom digital and analog electronics, bespoke 3D rendering and real-time processing software in the process. He holds particular interest in researching participatory, multi-user, and immersive hybrid experiences.
Photo: Yoko Shimizu
Yoko Shimizu is an artist and researcher with a background in biology and chemistry. She collaborates with companies, government agencies, museums, and universities around the world, and is a frequent speaker at international events, conferences, and educational institutions. She is the founding director of the Matsudo International Science Art Festival, former Head of Creative Business Innovation at Ars Electronica Futurelab, and current Ars Electronica Ambassador.